Le Quesnoy Museum
Our Speaker was Greg Moyle, until recently a member of the NZ War Memorial Trust. Greg paid tribute to Herb Farrant and Sir Don McKinnon who had also been instrumental in getting the Trust and the Museum at Le Quesnoy established.
Greg outlined the pattern of the progress of WW1 from NZ’s perspective.After the trauma and enormous losses at Gallipoli, the New Zealand Division had served gallantly on the Western Front. It saw action on the Somme, Messines, Broodseinde Ridge, and Passchendaele. In 1918 the Division was at the forefront of the British 3rd Army during the 100 days offensive, following actions at Baupame, Cambrai and ultimately Le Quesnoy.
The problem with Le Quesnoy was that it was a fortress with significant ramparts, bastions and other defensive works.
Greg reminded us of the story of how the New Zealand Division managed to capture the city one week before the end of WW1. The locals have an enduring affection for NZ and NZers. He outlined how the Museum had been established and opened late the previous year.
We were fortunate to have Jan Huston, who had been in a first group of Kiwis to visit the Museum after its opening, as one of our guests and who spoke of her experiences.
Greg described the difficulty ahead of the Trust in the restoration of the residential maisonettes on the property for backpackers and younger travellers’ accommodation. Is there a major fundraising challenge for the Newmarket Club here?
Lieutenant Averill leads the charge over the walls of the town: 4th November, 1918
The renovated Mayor’s House and now the NZ Le Quesnoy Museum
See more: